Ange Postecoglou tipped for shock return to management with Premier League strugglers but faces competition from Brendan Rodgers

Daniel Farke under pressure as Leeds’ struggles deepen

Ange Postecoglou has unexpectedly emerged as a potential candidate to replace Daniel Farke at Leeds United, with Brendan Rodgers also being discussed as a strong alternative.

The Yorkshire club sit in the relegation zone, winless in four matches, and the atmosphere around Elland Road has rapidly deteriorated — only months after Farke delivered a remarkable 100-point promotion season.

Leeds’ form has nosedived, with seven losses in their opening 12 fixtures placing them 18th. TalkSPORT reports that the club’s leadership has offered no assurances regarding Farke’s job security.

His Premier League record — stretching back to his Norwich tenure — now stands at the worst points-per-game ratio (0.61) of any manager to oversee more than 50 top-flight matches. With daunting clashes against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool ahead, Leeds appear to be approaching a breaking point.

Postecoglou linked with the Leeds job

Postecoglou — once celebrated as the driving force behind Celtic’s resurgence — has been mentioned as an option to take charge.

His brief and turbulent spell at Nottingham Forest, where he lasted just 39 days in what became the shortest managerial reign in Premier League history, may have harmed his reputation, but he still has admirers within the Leeds hierarchy.

Club officials are reportedly drawn to his aggressive, attacking philosophy, seeing it as a natural fit for Leeds’ identity.

Rodgers a serious rival for the role

Meanwhile, Rodgers has become a leading contender after abruptly resigning from Celtic for the second time.

His departure triggered a scathing response from Celtic owner Dermot Desmond, who accused him of divisive and misleading behaviour.

In a statement on Celtic’s official website, Desmond acknowledged Rodgers’ trophy-laden spells with the club but expressed deep disappointment over how events unfolded.

He explained that Rodgers was offered a contract extension earlier this year, only for the manager to later suggest the opposite in media interviews — a claim Desmond said was “simply untrue.”

Despite the controversy, Rodgers’ managerial pedigree remains strong. During his time at Leicester City, he won the FA Cup and secured back-to-back seasons of European qualification before the club’s dramatic collapse in 2023.

Will Postecoglou return to management?

Insiders suggest Postecoglou has privately ruled out an immediate comeback, including any approach from Celtic.

After an emotionally draining period, he is believed to be deliberately stepping back from frontline coaching to recover before considering his next project.

He remains hugely popular among Celtic fans, having delivered five domestic trophies and a sweeping overhaul of their playing style, but for now, he appears unwilling to leap back into another intense Premier League situation — leaving Leeds’ pursuit uncertain.